Gamba Vineyards and Winery|Russian River Zinfandel|Old Vine Zin|Sonoma County

The Russian River Valley is home to many wineries, but only a handful of vineyards that grow Old Vine Zinfandel.  Gamba Vineyards and Winery is one of the premier wineries in the Russian River Valley that grows and produces exceptional Old Vine Zin.

In addition to the Gamba Estate and Moratto Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandels, Agostino Gamba producers a Russian River Valley Cuvee.  The RRV appellation Zin is a blend of old and younger vines from the Gamba Estate and Moratto Vineyards and from a few hand-picked, family-owned vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

I recently met with Gus’s friend Mike at the Gamba Vineyards and Winery who not only poured the new ’08 release, but poured the entire lineup from 2007 and 2008.  (There is still a small amount of Gamba 2008 Moratto Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel available.  More details on the Moratto ’08 Zin below.)

The 2007 vintage was a hard act to follow.  The growing season was one of the best in the past decade, and growers and winemakers picked at optimal ripeness.  2008 presented some challenges including frost in the spring and a cooler growing season.   Therefore to produce the best wines the vintage offered, winemakers had to make some tough choices, including dropping a lot of fruit in the vineyards as well as hand sorting the grapes after they were harvested.  Gus Gamba did both.

As a result only 400 cases were produced of the Gamba 2008 Russian River Valley Zinfandel, but the hard and painful choices made in the vineyard proved to be worth it.  Although not as plush as the 2007, the 2008 has beautiful varietal character, deep dark berry fruit, nice mouthfeel, and good acidity.  Despite the 16.4% alcohol, the wine is not hot on the nose or the palate, but in balance with the fruit.  Another beautiful wine from one of the top Zinfandel producers in the Russian River Valley.

Gamba 2008 Russian River Valley Zinfandel – $35

To place an order, send an email to gb@wineriff.com

Moratto Vineyard – Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel

In the video, Gus Gamba walks us through the Moratto Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, and provides some insight into what makes these Old Vine Zinfandel vines so special.

If you would like to locate the Gamba Zinfandels, click here to send me a note.

Gamba Vineyards 2008 Moratto Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel
Russian River Valley (Sold Out)

Tastings Notes:
Featuring black and red fruits, and offering a dazzling aromatic profile of ripe black cherry, raspberry, kirsch and spicy aromas, the 2008 Moratto Old Vine Zinfandel grabs your attention right out of the gate.  The deep dark color verges on black in the glass, highlighted by dark scarlet with purple hues.  This sumptuous Zin is packed with mouth coating flavors and silky richness, offering blackberry preserves, raspberry and allspice.  Jammy yet not syrupy due to the impeccable balance and nicely integrated minerality. Well structured, balanced and seductive, this wine shows nuances of mocha influenced oak and velvety smooth tannins that lead to an impressively long finish.  The Gamba 2008 Moratto Vineyard Zin is a must for the true Zin fans, a beautifully crafted wine that exemplifies the virtues of Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel.  The wine should age gracefully for 5-7 years in the cellar, if not longer.  ($40) – Tasted:  May 18, 2010

Still Available…

Gamba Vineyards 2008 Estate Old Vine Zinfandel
Russian River Valley

The color is deep purple/electric raspberry that leads to aromas of deep, dark fruit typical in Gamba Zins with that sweet note of blackberry, flowers, spice and a pop of bright raspberry. On the backend of the nose you get a little earth/forest floor, cherry and raspberry pie filling with a nice charred oak note that keeps it interesting.  In the mouth the texture is rich and full, but not too viscous with just the right touch of acid on the finish.  Very balanced, a good compliment of American oak leading to a dry yet flavorful wine.  Smooth, round and balanced.  Another classic Gamba Russian River Old Vine Zin profile with cherry, raspberry, plum, spice, dark chocolate, light clove and cinnamon. ($40) – Tasted:  January 2010

Putting Your Name On The Label Is Serious Business

When Gus decided to put the Gamba Family moniker on the label, he made a commitment to doing everything in his power to produce the best wines possible.  Having known Agostino Gamba, Jr. and his wife Paulette going on 10 years, I have seen his singular focus and dedication year in and year out.  And not just with the wine making.  Gus is a family man and farmer first a foremost, and he takes his responsibility as a steward of the land very seriously.

Gus and Paulette have carried on the Gamba Family history, and carved out the perfect wine country niche for their family.  Their 105-year old Estate Vineyard located in the Russian River Valley only produces about 1/2 – 3/4 tons per acre, a minuscule amount.  Think of your tomato plant only producing a handful of tomatoes each year. Most people pull out these low-yielding vines to plant younger more vigorous vines that produce much more fruit.  The payoff with Old Vine Zinfandel is the rich, complex and intense flavors that could not be duplicated any other way.

These century-old vines are tended to with meticulous care by Gus and a couple of workers that includes hand hoeing between the rows of vines, strict attention to canopy management, and yes even dropping of fruit.  The vineyard is his backyard and a family heirloom, so he watches over the vines with loving care.  The result is some of the best Old Vine Russian River Zinfandel on the planet.

It just doesn’t get much better than this!

To place an order, send an email to gb@wineriff.com